Steven Spielberg Will Direct Indiana Jones 5 Before West Side Story

Steven Spielberg has confirmed his next project will be the fifth instalment of the Indiana Jones 5,ranchise.

Doubts were cast over Indy's return as last week news emerged that Steven Spielberg is casting a remake of West Side Story. It was reported that Spielberg’s next project might either be the long-dreaded Indiana Jones 5 or a remake of West Side Story (which is apparently something he’s wanted to do for a long time). Now, sources have told The Hollywood Reporter that he’s actually developing both movies at once, with Spielberg conducting an extensive casting search for West Side Story while he works up the nerve to return to Indiana Jones 5. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker will shoot the musical following the release of Indiana Jones.

Indy's most recent adventure, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, was released in 2008 to middling reviews 19 years after the concluding part of the original trilogy. Indiana Jones 5 will be the first Indy adventure not to feature George Lucas on story duties. The rights are now owned by Disney in the same deal that saw the studio acquire Star Wars, with Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall producing.

West Side Story is set against the backdrop of a changing and simmering New York City as two gangs, a white gang called the Jets and a Puerto Rican gang called the Sharks, fight for their place in the streets. Issues of immigrant life and assimilation are touched upon as the two lovers, white Tony and Latina Maria, the sister of the Sharks’ leader, dream of running away and getting married.

However, things could still change in the next couple of years. THR also says there’s a slim chance that a smaller film could sneak in before Indy kicks off next year. In the meantime, Spielberg’s latest film Ready Player One will open in theaters on March 30th.